Everything about McCain's behavior over the last several weeks have suggested that he fully intends to make abortion the central issue of this fall's campaign.
His blunt statement about abortion at Saddleback should have been a telling sign. He stated that life begins
At the moment of conception. I have a 25-year pro-life record in the Congress, in the Senate, and as President of the United States, I will be a pro-life President with pro-life policies. That's my commitment. That's my commitment to you.
There's even the possibility that McCain saw/heard Obama fumble the abortion query, while outside of his "cone of silence", spotted a weakness, and decided to dig in.
OBAMA: I am in favor, for example, of limits on late term abortions if there is an exception for the mother's health. Now from the perspective of those who, you know, are pro-life, I think they would consider that inadequate. And I respect their views. I mean one of the things that I've always said is that on this particular issue, if you believe that life begins as conception, then -- and you are consistent with that belief -- then I can't argue with you on that, because that is a core issue of faith for you. What I can and do say is there are ways that we can work together to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies so that we actually are reducing the sense that women are seeking out abortions, and as an example of that, one of the things that I've talked about is how do we provide the resources that allow women to make the choice to keep a child. You know, have we given them the healthcare that they need? Have we given them the support services that they need. Have we given them the options of adoption that are necessary? That, I think can make a genuine difference.
Well thought out, and very, very careful. Holds nothing against the talking-point, sound-bite friendly McCain quote. Guess which one got replayed on the news over and over?
My friends, if we are to have any chance of overcoming the onslaught of the religious right, we are going to have to be strong, stick to our core beliefs and not waffle every time a "hot button" question is asked. Abortion is key here, and we can't avoid it, or we're fucked.
What we need are talking points to counter the repug's points.
Not exactly rocket science... how about Guatemala? It's completely illegal to have abortion there. The consequences of this is that all women who miscarry are interrogated and examined by the police. As a friend of women who have miscarried, I know that this traumatic event is not something that should be of any interest to the state, and should be completely relegated to the friends and family of those affected.
It is very easy for a conservative to say "I am for life". It's a lot more difficult to say "I am for imprisoning women who undergo abortions." In key to winning this argument, even among many of the evangelicals, is to take the Republican logic to its final destination. All we have to do is raise the specter of mothers who miscarry being imprisoned (which is what would indeed happen, eventually, if the Repugs won) and we win the argument. Period.
If pro-lifers can raise enormous banners with aborted fetuses blown up to skyscraper-height, can't we at the very least follow their logic to its inevitable conclusion?
Obama is taking a big risk by answering McCain directly on abortion. He hasn't exactly knocked that tee-ball out of the park yet... Let's hope that he intends to be confident, back it up strongly and succinctly, instead of succumbing and pandering to the irrational, fascist views of those who would criminalize abortion.
Remember, we don't have to condone it. But compassion for the downtrodden is always a good political point. And it's the right fucking thing to do, goddamit.